Mr. John Rea

John passed away on August 9th at North Shore Hospice Center after a valiant fight against cancer. John lived an extraordinary life for a poor boy from the immigrant Irish neighbourhood of Elmwood in Winnipeg. He was the youngest of five children with four older sisters (Lil, Hannah, Ruby & Jean). He survived the depression and was the first to go to University. Like many other prairie boys, John joined the navy in 1943. He was lucky enough to see both coasts of Canada. He ended up in Victoria on a mine sweeper along the BC coast to Alaska and back. John went on to have a successful career with the Weston’s Group in all its iterations for 40 years. He started at Western grocers and continued to succeed in ever more challenging roles. Our family lived in every province from Ontario to B.C. Each of his daughters was born in a different province, two years apart. He relocated the family to BC when he was appointed to manage Malkins Ltd. At age of 46. He retired as a Vice President from Kelly Douglas in 1987. Since then, John & Peggy have travelled the world and cruised until their 92nd year. He enjoyed golfing, sailing, curling and bridge. Dancing was a favourite pastime. His daughters learned to dance by standing on his shoes and he carried that tradition to his granddaughters as well.

True to his Irish background John embraced life. He was willing to try anything. He was a social being who could tell a great joke, host great parties whether planned or impromptu. He was charming with a sharp wit and a ready laugh. John and Peggy collected friends from many of their travels and preferred to spend time with younger people because they had more fun. John served on the board of the Phoenix Food Group and served as its president for many years. He and Peggy were lucky enough to have a great group of friends who remained intact as a group largely into their 90’s.

He is predeceased by one of his three daughters Eileen and one of his seven grandchildren, baby Zoe. He is survived by his wife Peggy, his one and only love for 73 years.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Peggy, older sister Jean, his son-in-law Rod, daughters Linda (Bryan), Kathleen (Jim). He was blessed with grandchildren Graham (Melissa), Lauren, Sean, Alexis, Keira, Andrea and three great grandchildren: Mathias, Eleanor & Quinn.

A celebration of life will be held on September 18, 2021 (location is withheld). Please RSVP to [email protected]. if you wish to join us as we must be mindful of numbers. The time and location will be communicated at that time. A live stream will be available. Details will be confirmed.

Thank you for the support from North Shore Palliative Care Team

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the BC Cancer Society or North Shore Hospice.